Anyone got a Shih Tzu?

Moanycowbag · 2023-03-30T18:50:50+00:00

Hello, I am looking at possibly welcoming a Shih Tzu into my home, as recently lost my beloved Cav x, so if you have one please tell me all about them, their quirks and loves, and all picture welcome.

JanetandJohn500 · 30/03/2023 20:43

We do. He is a dream - lovely with guests, happy to be in the house on his own and was easy to train (both toilet and tricks).
He's nearly 3 and is an all-round good boy .... except that he prefers my husband to me!

Muffit · 30/03/2023 20:49

I also have a Shih tzu, he's a real personality.He sometimes refuses to walk just lays down in the street.I haven't found a way to get him to walk so just carry him home.Mostly he walks very happily.Was easy to toilet train.He's my best friend, just a bit stubourn.He howls like a wolf, but hardly ever.He thinks he's a cat and climbs the furniture.

Iusedtobedontcall · 30/03/2023 20:51

This is ours. He’s adorable. Loves to sit on my lap, loves people, loves to play and very very good natured.

Iusedtobedontcall · 30/03/2023 20:54

Mine will lie down in the street when he’s tired too 🤣

Original poster

Moanycowbag · 30/03/2023 22:23

Oh wow, I have been reading that they are hard to house train (although my cav x girl took forever and was only trusted completely at 12 months old) so fingers crossed it will not be the nightmare I'm possibly expecting, and so happy that they seem to be cheeky and fun, and who can blame them for having a little rest when they decide they are done with walking 😂@Iusedtobedontcall is yours a liver coloured boy? As I am looking at a liver boy but he is lighter than your boy, but they seem to change colour so much between puppy and adult.

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GentlyGentlyOhDear · 30/03/2023 22:27

Mine is 12 now and such a character! Very stubborn and also just flops on the ground sometimes!
Was easy to toilet train and so loyal to me specifically. He is a barker though, but otherwise a very sweet dog. Happy to be left, and quite an easy dog.

Wolfiefan · 30/03/2023 22:30

Rescue or breeder? If breeder worth contacting the breed club to check credentials. I have read they are hard to toilet train. Obviously grooming requirements need considering. Generally seem friendly and sweet dogs.

LifeIsHardAlways · 30/03/2023 23:10

We’ve had a few and toilet training has always taken a good year (much longer than the dogs we had that were different breeds). They love toys and have a special bond with one member of the family in particular. Wonderful company and lovely personalities (hence why we’ve had a few)!

Madamecastafiore · 30/03/2023 23:12

Went to the zoo last week, there was only one dog, it was a Shitzu!! 😂

ilovesushi · 31/03/2023 08:07

DM had a mixed breed shitzu/ schnauzer and it was the most loving sweet natured dog. Great with people and fine with other dogs. Loved to play and chase her ball, could do a decent walk and loved to cuddle on the sofa. Was very beloved by the whole family. Had a dodgy back leg in later life.

CharliesAngels81 · 31/03/2023 08:19

I have a shih tzu. Very easy to toilet train but they can be very stubborn when they don't want to do something.

Loves walks , playing with soft toys etc.

He will paw more if he wants attention when I'm working and plonk himself on my keyboard and not budge xx

He is a proper little snorer lol xx

hamstersarse · 31/03/2023 08:26

I have a 12 yo.

Hes brilliant but like others have said, stubborn. Literally does not do anything he doesn’t want to. I walk him a lot and push him to do challenging walks (I think it helps to keep them very fit as prone to trachea problems in old age), but if he doesn’t like the weather (wind and rain) he’ll just turn around and head home / back to the car and there’s nothing you can do.

He too is very attached to one person, me! Follows me everywhere, is always in sight of me. Also sleeps on my bed 😳
pp said theirs is fine being left, mine used to be, but as he’s got older he’s found it more distressing. He really is obviously depressed when I’m not there, won’t even acknowledge the kids!

Noeggsontoast · 31/03/2023 08:46

Two Shih Tzu. One incredibly intelligent, independent and playful, toilet trained by 16 weeks, the other just wants to be by your side, snuggle and cuddle and 18 months to toilet train. Both love hikes in the Lake District, walks on the beach, playing ball in the park. Good recall. They're very placid and gentle, great with humans including small children as well as other dogs. They're not especially fond of water - rain included. They bring so much joy. A pic of the crazy floofies having a blast.

hamstersarse · 31/03/2023 10:30

@Noeggsontoast That is going to be the best picture I see all day

The faces 😂

hamstersarse · 31/03/2023 10:35

I forgot to say, I do think you have to get the food right for Shih Tzu's otherwise they can get pretty gross 'back-ends'

They can be really picky eaters and the best food I have found, after literally every type of food possible being tried, is this one https://freshpet.com/en-gb/#/

I started him on it a few years ago and it is the first food EVER that he will bark for!

Freshpet Healthy Dog Food and Cat Food, Fresh from the Fridge

Fresh pet food and treats made in the USA, with all-natural chicken or beef as the #1 ingredient. Refrigerated dog and cat food, no preservatives.

https://freshpet.com/en-gb#/

Original poster

Moanycowbag · 31/03/2023 10:37

hamstersarse · 31/03/2023 08:26

I have a 12 yo.

Hes brilliant but like others have said, stubborn. Literally does not do anything he doesn’t want to. I walk him a lot and push him to do challenging walks (I think it helps to keep them very fit as prone to trachea problems in old age), but if he doesn’t like the weather (wind and rain) he’ll just turn around and head home / back to the car and there’s nothing you can do.

He too is very attached to one person, me! Follows me everywhere, is always in sight of me. Also sleeps on my bed 😳
pp said theirs is fine being left, mine used to be, but as he’s got older he’s found it more distressing. He really is obviously depressed when I’m not there, won’t even acknowledge the kids!

My boy that I recently lost was a fair weather dog, he would refuse to walk in the rain, had to be pushed outdoors for a wee or poop and would rather try to tiptoe round the house on the wooden sleepers edging the flower beds then let his feet touch the damp grass, yet would rumble and almost purr in pleasure at having a warm bath.

@Noeggsontoast that picture is amazing, just absolute pure joy ❤️

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Noeggsontoast · 31/03/2023 10:48

@Moanycowbag @hamstersarse thanks, I love seeing them having fun - makes my heart sing! Crazy noises too - the youngest trills like a bird - go figure!

Food can be tricky re the other post - my eldest has a sensitive digestion so has added fibre in her diet and can be picky and fussy, the only dog that I know would rather starve than eat anything, that is the independent stubbornness rearing it's head. The youngest will eat anything, she lives for food, well 2nd to me. I'm her world, other half doesn't get a look in.

Noeggsontoast · 31/03/2023 10:50

Sorry for your loss @Moanycowbag 🌈❤️

Original poster

Moanycowbag · 31/03/2023 11:03

Noeggsontoast · 31/03/2023 10:50

Sorry for your loss @Moanycowbag 🌈❤️

Thank you he was my best boy, but I have his sister still but she needs company as she is not an only dog, she currently has lost all her confidence and spark, and I lost my boy to heart failure which I know is rampant in Cavaliers and Cavalier crosses so as much as I love the breed I could not willingly have another as I would be sitting and waiting for it to go wrong, as I am currently doing with his sister but finger crossed she seems ok at the moment. and she is much more Bichon than the boy and that might also be why she was so hard to house train as Bichon's are meant to notoriously hard too.

My ❤️ who went far too soon.

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Whatthediddlyfeck · 31/03/2023 11:10

I have a 10 year old Shih Tzu x Bichon and he’s a delight. Wasn’t too bad with toilet training, about 6 months to be reliable I think. Hates a bath and has only recently started to occasionally paddle at the beach 😂. He’s also a rain and wet weather hater and would rather cross his legs than go out in the rain for a pee😂. Touch wood he’s been really healthy and absolutely doesn’t look his age. We’ve not had any food issues with him, and have him on tails.com which costs about £30/month. He’s not the brightest😂😂

Alittlestar · 31/03/2023 18:29

Your boy was beautiful @Moanycowbag, I'm sorry for your loss.

My neighbour has a shih Tzu, I love him, he's such a sweet, friendly dog. He's so lovely that Shih Tzu's have been put on my list of possible future dogs. I hope your new puppy brings you years of happiness and heals your heart.

ilovesushi · 01/04/2023 10:00

So many beautiful doggies! @Noeggsontoast what a fabulous picture! Love their happy faces and flowing coats.

housesarehard · 02/04/2023 21:08

I have a little girl and she is the best! She is my first dog and has the SWEETEST nature! My child adores her. Never met a bad one!

Was quite barky compared to other breeds j had had, but I have trained her out of this now.

My girl LOVES water and get so dirty. Which is always a real surprise to everyone.

housesarehard · 02/04/2023 21:09

*compared to the other breeds my parents has and I grew up with